Analyses of robotic traverses and sample sites in the Schrödinger basin for the HERACLES human-assisted sample return mission concept

Abstract

20 21Near-future exploration of the Moon will likely be conducted with human-operated robotic assets. 22Previous studies have identified the Schrödinger basin, situated on the far side of the Moon, as a prime 23 target for lunar science and exploration where a significant number of the scientific concepts reviewed 24 by the National Research Council (NRC, 2007) can be addressed. In this study, two robotic mission 25 traverses within Schrödinger basin are proposed based on a 3 year mission plan in support of the 26 HERACLES human-assisted sample return mission concept. A comprehensive set of modern remote 27 sensing data (LROC imagery, LOLA topography, M 3 and Clementine spectral data) has been 28 integrated to provide high-resolution coverage of the traverses and to facilitate identification of 29 specific sample localities. We also present a preliminary Concept of Operations (ConOps) study based on 30 a set of notional rover capabilities and instrumental payload. An extended robotic mission to 31 Schrödinger basin will allow for significant sample return opportunities from multiple distinct geologic 32 terrains and will address multiple high-priority NRC (2007) scientific objectives. Both traverses will offer 33 the first opportunity to (i) sample pyroclastic material from the lunar farside, (ii) sample Schrödinger 34 impact melt and test the lunar cataclysm hypothesis, (iii) sample deep crustal lithologies in an uplifted 35 peak ring and test the lunar magma ocean hypothesis and (iv) explore the top of an impact melt sheet, 36 enhancing our ability to interpret Apollo samples. The shorter traverse will provide the first opportunity 37 to sample farside mare deposits, whereas the longer traverse has significant potential to collect SPA 38 impact melt, which can be used to constrain the basin-forming epoch. 39 40

Analysis of Lunar Boulder Tracks: Implications for Trafficability of Pyroclastic Deposits

“…The assessment of LPD trafficability has implications for the design of future missions. A high‐priority target for robotic and crewed missions is the pyroclastic vent in the Schrödinger basin, but it has been unclear whether wheeled or legged assets are able to traverse its periphery and to access its center (Allender et al, ; Bunte et al, ; O'Sullivan et al, ; Potts et al, ; Steenstra et al, ). The results of this study provide no evidence that the previous assumption of a traversable surface around the vent is invalid, thus, surface missions in this and similar locations may be possible using existing and proposed rover designs.…”

Lunar Science for Landed Missions Workshop Findings Report

“…Investigations of these volcanic materials can constrain the thermal and compositional evolution of the Moon. S.6: Exploring Schrödinger would provide context into the formation and structure of large basins. Studying the structure of Schrödinger, especially its peak ring, would allow us to probe basin formation and the movement of materials during the formation of peak‐ring and multiring basins (e.g., Kramer et al, ; Kring, ). A.1: Examining the pyroclastic deposits on the floor of Schrödinger would yield new information on the endogenous lunar volatile budget and the volatile cycle of the farside (Kring & Robinson, ). A.3: Studying lobate scarps present on the floor of Schrödinger would inform the tectonic and seismic nature and history of the Moon. Relevance to decadal survey Decadal objective 1 Constrain the bulk composition of terrestrial planets by analyzing the diversity of rock units present in the basin, especially in the peak ring. Characterize planetary interiors to determine how they differentiate and evolve by studying the volcanic units within the basin that formed from partial melts of the lunar interior. Characterize planetary surfaces to understand how they are modified by geologic processes (i.e., volcanism, tectonism, and impacts). Decadal objective 2: Understand the composition and distribution of volatile chemical compounds in the volcanic deposits. Relevance to exploration themes SKG 1: A surface mission could examine resource potential and preservation of volatile components during robotic sampling, handling, and storage by assessing the volatile content of pyroclastic deposit within Schrödinger. SKG 3: Living and working on the lunar surface could be studied by excavating, transporting, and roving in the pyroclastic deposit, and on and across the various floor units (including the impact melt deposits; e.g., Bunte et al, ; Steenstra et al, ). Key measurements : Age of impact melts; bulk chemistry and mineralogy of surface units; volatile content of the pyroclastic deposit; high‐resolution imaging; composition and ages of volcanic units; composition and source depth of the peak ring; and quantified regolith geotechnical properties. Exploration scenario 1 : A rover could traverse across various geologic terrains (smooth inner‐peak ring, mare basalts, inner‐peak ring, peak ring, and pyroclastics), with specific locations selected for imaging and in situ analysis (e.g., Bunte et al, ; Burns et al, ; Kring, ). Exploration scenario 2 : A rover or static lander could return samples to Earth from the basin floor for age dating and compositional analyses (e.g., Kring & Robinson, ; Potts et al, ). …”

“…2. SKG 3: Living and working on the lunar surface could be studied by excavating, transporting, and roving in the pyroclastic deposit, and on and across the various floor units (including the impact melt deposits; e.g., Bunte et al, 2011;Steenstra et al, 2016).…”

High‐speed mobility on planetary surfaces: A technical review

“…Mission concepts currently being considered for the exploration of the lunar and martian surfaces may require a redefinition of the technical approaches once undertaken. Limited time windows for exploration (Heldmann et al, ; Potts et al, ) and ground traverses on the order of hundreds of kilometers (Steenstra et al, ) are some of the novel characteristics defining these mission concepts, corroborating the importance and complexity associated with surface mobility. Scouting farther regions, cresting crater walls, momentarily delving into partially shadowed areas, and overcoming rugged and uneven terrains are some of the challenges being considered within the realm of future surface exploration missions.…”